PM Modi discusses India's membership in NSG with South African Prez

Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Navtej Sarna on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed South Africa`s position on supporting India`s membership for the nuclear suppliers` group, at the seventh BRICS summit.

Ufa: Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Navtej Sarna on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed South Africa`s position on supporting India`s membership for the nuclear suppliers` group, at the seventh BRICS summit.

"The Prime Minister mentioned the importance of having a strategy for COP21 among the basic countries. Prime Minister Modi looked forward to further articulation of South Africa position in support of India`s membership for nuclear suppliers` group," said Sarna.

He further said that Brazilian President Jacob Zuma expressed his keenness for Indian companies to explore opportunities of working in the country during his interaction with Narendra Modi.

"With Brazil, both leaders decided we must intensify the strategic relation that we have and build upon commonalities. Cooperation in the field of agriculture was one of the issues discussed between the leaders of India and Brazil. Cooperation in oil & gas was also discussed.

The Brazilian side is keen for Indian companies to go & explore opportunities of working in the country," said Sarna. "Prime Minister Modi requested Brazilian President for assistance in expanding the list which is by covered India-Mercosur preferential trade agreement. That list presently has 450 items. India would like to increase it to about 2000 and the Brazilian President responded to the proposal positively," he said.

"The Prime Minister also made it a point to tell the Brazilian President that we needed closer cooperation for going towards COP21 in climate change. With South Africa, the Prime Minister began by personally extending invitation to President Jacob Zuma to come for the Indo-Africa forum summit in Delhi in October. President Jacob Zuma responded by saying that South Africa would attend the summit," he added.

Sarna said that the both the meetings were held in a very warm atmosphere adding that the personal chemistry of the Prime Minister with both the leaders was quite evident.